Palácio de São Lourenço

The island's most imposing example of civil and military architecture, on Avenida Zarco. Begun in the first half of the 16th century and finished under Spanish rule (1580–1640), first a fortress, then the residence of the captains-donee and the governors; from 1834 a residential function and a split into two areas — the Palace, official residence, and the military area of the Madeira Military Zone command, with an arms museum. A National Monument since 1943, it combines military, Manueline and Mannerist styles. Today the official residence of the Representative of the Republic; visits organised by the Regional Directorate of Culture at fixed times.